Every hard decision reveals something about the person making it. And for those leading SMEs and not-for-profits – where a single call can ripple through an entire organization overnight – what gets revealed is character. That's what shapes the decision, and that's what your people remember.
So how do you build the character to lead well when it counts most?
On October 27, Kimberley Milani, Director of the Ian O. Ihnatowycz Institute for Leadership at Ivey Business School, brings together three SME and not-for-profit leaders for a candid conversation about the pivotal role character plays in the moments that test us most. Grounded in Ivey's award-winning Leader Character research, panelists will unpack the hardest calls of their careers, the character traits that carried them through, and the daily habits that built those traits in the first place.
Valuable for leaders across industries, and especially those leading SMEs, this complimentary Impact Live session offers practical tools to strengthen your character – and build a culture where it can thrive organization-wide.
About the speakers
Kimberley Milani | Moderator
Director, Ian O. Ihnatowycz Institute for Leadership, Ivey Business School
Kimberley Milani joined Ivey Business School’s Ian O. Ihnatowycz Institute for Leadership in 2017, helping expand its reach and impact. She connects research on leader character with leaders, organizations, and communities, and co-founded Ivey’s Women’s Leadership and Mentoring Program in 2019. Before Ivey, she spent over a decade at Brescia University College leading women’s leadership initiatives. She has volunteered for more than 20 years with organizations advancing women’s leadership, environmental stewardship, and social justice. A graduate of the University of Toronto and Oxford, Kimberley is a co-author, published scholar, and speaker whose work is deeply grounded in scholarship, community, and purpose.
Neil Hetherington, EMBA '13 | Panelist
CEO, Daily Bread Food Bank
Neil Hetherington has been CEO of Daily Bread Food Bank since 2018, guiding the organization through COVID-19 and rapid growth in demand. Since then, Daily Bread has expanded from 60,000 client visits per month to more than 350,000, helping meet urgent food security needs across Toronto.
Before Daily Bread, Neil led Habitat for Humanity Toronto and New York City, and later served at Dixon Hall. He is also an advocate for disability rights, a frequent media voice, and a board member with several nonprofits. Neil has been widely recognized for his leadership and community impact across Canada and the U.S.
Peter Katz | Panelist
Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker & Certified Facilitator
Peter Katz is a National Speakers Association Speaker Hall of Fame inductee, a JUNO-nominated singer-songwriter, and a keynote artist known for helping teams build connection, belonging, and momentum. His highly customized keynote concerts combine music, stories, and audience-specific insights to leave people energized and recognized.
He has performed for organizations including Johns Hopkins Medicine, Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson, and American Express. Peter is also the founder of Heartstrings Songwriting Retreats and co-founder of The Conscious Leaders Quest.
Shirley Zhong, HBA '26 | Panelist
Co-Founder & COO, Xatoms
Shirley Zhong is the Co-Founder and COO of Xatoms, a water technology company she co-founded in 2024 during her HBA1 year at Ivey Business School. Xatoms uses AI and quantum chemistry to discover advanced materials that remove challenging contaminants from water using light. Since launching, the company has raised more than $3 million in funding and expanded through commercial projects and international pilots. Xatoms has been recognized by the World Economic Forum, SXSW, and the Hult Prize. Shirley is a Forbes 30 Under 30 North America honoree, a Cansbridge Fellow, a Draper University alumna, and a One Young World Ambassador.
